Engaging Students in Maths by Using Real World Problems Dr Mary Coupland, Assoc. Prof. Anne Prescott Dr. Marco Angelini University of Technology Sydney

Outline What is Maths Inside? Funded by the Federal Government - AMSPP (Australian Maths and Science Partnerships Program) Linking CSIRO, AAMT & UTS Research into student engagement and learning at each stage to inform the next round of curriculum development.

Please “think, pair, share” Year 8 students ask “What is the point of this maths? What are we going to use it for?” Year 11 students ask “What is the point of this maths? What are we going to use it for?” HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

Maths inside – how will it work? Inspirational case studies will show the contributions of practising mathematical scientists to industry and commerce Teaching and learning materials linked to the Australian Curriculum that encourage exploration of relevant mathematical ideas

Support for Out-of-field teachers Professional learning activities for teachers, to be available through AAMT Build on what is known to be useful in terms of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (Hill, Ball and Schilling, 2008).

What kinds of classroom activities? Target years are 8-12 Emphasis on authentic RICH TASKS include multiple entry and exit possibilities, interactivity, appropriate use of technology Investigations rather than drill exercises, emphasis in creative and critical thinking

What classroom tasks work? In small groups, please: Spend 3 minutes discussing your experience of successful and unsuccessful learning Identify 3 elements of successful lessons, and the resources required to deliver them 3. Share your discussions with the room

The Zebedee project: 3D mapping in real time, using a hand-held laser scanner and innovative software. Dr Robert Zlot Crime scenes, Caves, Historical sites

Australian Square Kilometre Array Dr. Lisa Harvey-Smith Global next-generation radio telescope project, based in 20 countries Will be the largest and most capable radio telescope ever constructed Thousands of antennae linked together by high bandwidth optical fibre Will gives insights into the formation of the early Universe, including the emergence of the first stars, galaxies and other structures

Bees with Backpacks Dr. Paulo de Souza

How to access the learning resources www.mathsinside.uts.edu.au Or www.aamt.edu.au

Feedback so far Over 1500 teachers and students have engaged with videos and class activities Resources trialled in 21 schools and colleges 1150 evaluation forms received from students and teachers 82% expressed satisfaction with project resources We’ve been told activities could be more directly linked to videos

Our most popular event: parabolic solar reflectors and cooking sausages! Stuart Palmer (Maths Inside resource developer) facilitating the ASKAP Practical Parabolas (3B) he developed, in 2016.

Year 10 students at Lindisfarne Grammar School, NSW participating in the ASKAP Practical Parabolas (3B) activity in October 2016.

Maths Inside activities In small groups: Spend a few minutes reviewing the class activities Share your views with the room on how useful they might be for your students; are they “Rich” enough? how they could be improved?

How to get involved To find out more, please visit: The project is seeking schools to collaborate on delivering these resources in schools. To find out more, please visit: www.mathsinside.uts.edu.au Project Directors: Dr Mary Coupland: mary.coupland@uts.edu.au Assoc. Prof. Anne Prescott: anne.prescott@uts.edu.au